Photo: WBZ NewsRadio / Kendall Buhl
HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Life at the beach is not always easy, especially when you're a lifeguard. Those on New Hampshire's seacoast have had their work cut out for them recently, thanks to a dangerous ocean phenomenon known as flash rip currents.
In the span of one week, Hampton Beach lifeguards rushed into the water to make 144 rescues, 53 in one day alone, because of sudden flash rip currents along the shoreline. These patterns are different than the typical rip current, because as the word 'flash' suggests— they can appear anywhere, at any time.
"They're very unpredictable— there could be a group of people swimming perfectly fine, but all of the sudden they're getting taken out to sea, so lifeguards had to jump right in," said Hampton Beach Lifeguard Chief Patrick Murphy.
Murphy told WBZ NewsRadio's Kendall Buhl that lifeguards are keeping their eyes keen for any sign of struggle in the water, bringing those in trouble to safety. They begin every shift in the morning with 75 minutes of intensive training, something that pays off when lives are on the line.
"If you go in and make five, six, ten rescues— you don't get a break. You come back out and you might have to go right back in, and that training is made for situations just like this. They're trained, they care— and they get excited too, they're keeping people safe. Nothing is better than saving someone's life, making sure they can go home at the end of the day," Murphy said.
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Officials say in addition to eyes on the water, there's plenty to watch in the sky too. Weather patterns, especially amid hurricane season, can have major impacts on rip currents.
Murphy recommended that during this time beachgoers make sure they swim near a lifeguard on duty, and if there isn't one around— find a beach that has one.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kendall Buhl reports.